Greetings, fellow Wilderness Explorers. I’m writing with news from a recent expedition to South America. We’ve been tracking the large and exotic bird known as “Kevin” – you might remember her from the Disney•Pixar film “Up!” – and she appears to be migrating north from Paradise Falls, headed in the direction of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Experts anticipate Kevin will arrive at the park sometime next month. Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry friend Dug are also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, greeting guests and discovering various species of birds from around the world in the show “UP! A Great Bird Adventure.” You can visit them daily on Discovery Island and catch their show at the Anandapur Theatre.

So be on the lookout for Kevin. We’ll update you here on Disney Parks Blog as soon as we spot her, and remember, adventure is out there!

Change the scheme, Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls if you would be so kind!

It's a boy! Disney has sent us news that a new Masai giraffe calf has been born at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Have you herd the news? There’s a new Masai giraffe calf at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Born earlier this afternoon on the savanna, the “little” one stands at approximately six feet tall. It is too early to tell the gender but the calf is already bonding well with mom, Mara, and is out on view to Guests.

BOY oh boy… what an exciting week! You already “herd” the news out of Disney’s Animal Kingdom about the arrival of a new Masai giraffe calf who was born on the Kilimanjaro Safari savanna on Monday. Guests who were on the attraction that morning got to experience the wonder of nature firsthand and see some of the special moments leading up to the calf’s delivery. What better way to inspire our Guests and Cast than the magic of nature and the miracle of birth!

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Mom and baby, who are both doing well. Since birth, the pair have been backstage bonding and will continue to stay backstage for the next month or two before going back out on the savanna.

Our animal care team has been conducting neonatal exams during which they get a better gauge on the calf’s weight, height and gender. We’re excited to share two photos – one of mom and baby boy within an hour after the birth and a close up of the calf in which you’ll see he has a special heart-shaped mark on his neck.

Our Cast and Kilamanjaro Safaris drivers will be helping us choose a name for the calf, and we’ll share that news as soon as we have it.

Change the scheme, Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls if you would be so kind!

anonymouscactus wrote:So, work is taking me to a conference in Orlando next month and I wanted to take advantage of the "after hours" (NOT extra magic hours) event at Animal Kingdom as my one Disney splurge that I can take part of in the evening after the conference. I am NOT able to do any of the Disney parks during the day. This is also going to be a SOLO trip.

I used to live in Orlando with annual passes, but I haven't been back in a few years and I have NOT seen the Avatar Land and know nothing about the rides or attractions there. (No spoilers )

Does anyone have any tips or advice for this event?

Is it worth watching the night time show (I've never seen it) or would that time be better occupied doing rides over and over?

How early does the Safari typically close? They allow the after hours guests into the park before the event officially starts, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to squeeze a ride on it for my first stop of the evening.

I've read a few reviews and some say that right when the event "starts" you are funneled into the fastpass lines because there can still be lines at the Avatar attraction(s?) so you still get to jump the regular queue but there will be a longer wait than just waiting a little later in the night when the regular guests clear out. Otherwise lines should hopefully be non existent... at least they used to be back when these reviews were published.

I also know to load up on free popcorn, ice cream, and soda.

Does anyone know how transportation works at Animal Kingdom after the event is over? Do busses still go to Disney Springs?

I'm likely NOT going to have a car and I'm not sure where my hotel will be just yet, but I'm assuming at the very least Disney Springs will have taxis, busses, shuttles, Uber, Lyft (which by the way I have NEVER used, so I can probably get promotional credit too provided they are out there late at night) etc late at night provided I can get there from Animal Kingdom. Anyone happen to know what transportation exists, if any, at Animal Kingdom for the event, or should I attempt calling Disney? I won't be staying at a Disney Hotel so either way I'm going to need some sort of transportation to my unknown hotel. Any advice there about the best way to get out of the Disney universe?

Any fun things to do myself at Disney Springs after the park?

Thanks everyone!

EDIT: looks like Disney Springs is only open until midnight so I guess going there after the park wouldn't work after all.

I'm sure that they have something figured out. It may pay for you to pick up the phone and talk to guest relations there. It would be a pretty big oversight on their part if they have this event and haven't thought of a way to get people back who don't drive or stay at an on-site hotel.

I’m planning a trip to spend two days at two Disney parks and one day at universal studios & island of adventure. I am definitely going to magic kingdom, but I need advice for the second park. I want to go Hollywood studios for tower of terror and rock n’ rollercoaster. But animal kingdom seems like the better park. In addition, I will have a toddler with me. Any suggestions?

It’s worth the money to park hop but If you insist on doing one park a day then (while you’ll get a million different answers), I think Animal Kingdom is the best park at the resort and it’s not close.

PS: This is also coming from the perspective of someone who doesn’t visit the parks with small children but since you’re prioritizing Tower of Terror and a launched inverting coaster in the dark I figured it was kosher to send you to a park where the two best rides are not at all suitable for kids since you clearly don’t mind splitting off. They have a great safari though and some really fun shows that should be great for families.

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